Yaya Toure Signs 4-Year, £45 Million Extension with Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has signed a four-year extension to remain with Roberto Mancini's defending English Premier League champions, according to the club's official website on Thursday.

The extension is worth £45 million according to the Daily Mail's David Kent, and will continue to pay the 29-year-old, who came over from Barcelona in 2010, a weekly wage of roughly £210,000.

An extremely versatile player, Toure shines with the ball at his feet, where he displays phenomenal vision and technique. He has been a key piece in the center of City's lineup over the past three seasons and looks set to continue his reign in the Blues' midfield for years to come.

The Ivorian international has five goals and three assists in 25 EPL appearances for the Citizens this season. He netted six goals in 32 EPL match appearances a season ago for City, helping the Blues win the English Premier League.

City currently trail rival Manchester United by 15 points in the league table heading into the season's home stretch.

Toure, who emerged playing with Barcelona from 2007 to 2010, winning the UEFA Champions League title with the Spanish powerhouse in 2008-09, recently won African Footballer of the Year honors in 2011 and 2012.

Toure has experienced success at both the club and international level, scoring 13 goals for Ivory Coast in over 70 appearances for the senior national team since 2004.

He is closing in on his 100th Premier League appearance for Manchester City and will turn 30 in May.